Last night in the Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO the Miami Heat again showed why they should be considered the favorite to win a third consecutive NBA championship. They play a versatile game that has an ability to exploit an opponent's weakness regardless of what it is.
The Heat held the Charlotte Bobcats to 38% shooting from the field and forced 16 Bobcat turnovers to help them along to a 86-75 victory, bringing Miami's preseason record up to 3-0. Another Heat win was the result of stellar defensive play as well.
In their first game of the preseason against the Atlanta Hawks, the Heat gave up only 87 points largely thanks to their ability to garner 21 Atlanta turnovers and hold the Hawks to 17% shooting from behind the arc.
This is big for the Heat because it means they aren't one of those teams that have to have a perfect night offensively every time out to win. If the offense is out of rhythm, like it was last night in Kansas City, they still have a great chance to win the game.
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Their second game in Detroit was a victory that required more of the offense, as the Pistons were able to overcome Miami's defensive effort and put up 107 points on the Heat. Miami's offense came through, however, and behind 28 points from Chris Bosh the Heat put up enough points to take the 112-107 victory.
It hasn't just been the Big Three doing the work either. While Bosh is having a superb preseason, Dwayne Wade didn't play in two of the Heat's three games and last night was the first time Lebron James got to the 20-point plateau.
It was offensive runs by Michael Beasley and Norris Cole that were huge in keeping the Bobcats at bay. Against Detroit James Jones was second in scoring with 12 points. The guy who came off the bench and contributed a key 14 points in the Atlanta game was Roger Mason Jr.
The Heat will suffocate defensively bad offensive teams. Miami will outscore teams who lack on defense. If a starter doesn't have it on a particular night, they have a bench capable of making up that production. Unless a rash of injuries strikes this team, they are on their way to a third consecutive NBA championship.
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